Christmas Kisses Collection. Louise Allen

a shared brunch.

      As he rounded the next corner, he told himself that it was his olive branch. But there was more to it and, as he righted himself on the large motorbike before the next curve, he silently accepted that Juliet had broken through his tough exterior shell. She had made him think of more than work. More than the mothers and the babies and the families he was helping to create. In twenty-four hours she and Bea had reminded him of all those things he’d wanted and dreamed of before the accident. Before the loss of his wife made him lose hope in the future.

      But her reaction to his reaching out was unexpected. Shooting him down by questioning his motives.

      Was it jet lag or was Juliet Turner always on the defensive? He wasn’t sure but, with his hand on the throttle, he rode a little faster than usual. Although Charlie had grown up in the stunning Cotswolds countryside, he appreciated the architecture and landscape that defined the part of England he called home, but not that day. Instead of noticing the Regency town houses and their intricate ironwork balconies and painted stucco façades or the rolling green hills that were blanketed in pristine snow, he could only picture Juliet’s face as he travelled back to work. Equally confused about what made Juliet so quick to judge…and what had really driven him to deliver the news in person.

      Juliet knocked on the door. The brass plate read Dr Charlie Warren, OBGYN. She was in the right place.

      ‘Come in.’

      Juliet opened the door and entered with mixed emotions. She was thrilled that the surgery would take place and the quads would in her opinion have the best chance of survival, but her behaviour at the hotel a few hours earlier still bothered her. And underneath she knew that was because Charlie Warren was affecting her and she was confused and scared.

      But despite those feelings unnerving her, the fact the obstinate but handsome OBGYN had reached out to her made her feel a little special. Perhaps that was why she took extra time to choose her outfit. A long black knitted dress that hugged her slim hips. It had a roll collar and she had added a silver necklace and a black patent boot with a medium height heel. It was her smart apology outfit, she told herself. The previous day’s travelling clothes were for comfort and that morning he had seen her in her pyjamas so she wanted to show a level of professionalism in her dressing. There was no other reason for her to wear the figure-hugging dress.

      The tight knit also kept her warm. Cheltenham was a cold place. That was all.

      How could there be any other reason? It certainly wasn’t to impress Charlie Warren the man.

      ‘Hello, Juliet. Please take a seat. I won’t be a moment. I’m just emailing through a medical report to a GP in London.’

      ‘Thank you,’ she said as she sat in the chair opposite him.

      Juliet took the time to let her gaze wander around the office. But there was nothing telling about any of it. No personal belongings that jumped out and showed her a little about Charlie. No photos, just a couple of certificates that provided evidence of his qualifications. Without appearing nosey, she searched from her vantage point for something that would let her know more about him. There was nothing. No hint. It appeared that Dr Warren had no life outside his work…or if he did he was hiding it.

      ‘‘I have taken the liberty of booking the operating theatre,’ he began as he turned his attention to Juliet. ‘And also confirming with the Abbiatis that the surgery will be on Friday.’

      ‘Thank you.’

      ‘Don’t thank me, I’m just extending a professional courtesy on behalf of the board.’

      Juliet frowned. His change in demeanour was extraordinary. But she knew she had been the cause. Her earlier reaction was cold and dismissive and just plain rude.

      ‘Juliet, don’t misread my actions for a change of mind. It isn’t. I still don’t think that surgery is the best option and, while I will not raise the issue again with the parents as they have made their decision, I still have grave concerns.’

      ‘Well, I’m grateful that we can agree at least to provide a united front even if behind the scenes there is still a great divide.’

      Juliet noticed a flick in his jaw. Finely covered with dark blond shadow, it was defined but tense.

      ‘A very great divide.’

      ‘May I ask why?’

      ‘Because I know you have experience in TTTS and this procedure, your papers prove it, but you have never, according to my research, undertaken this with quads.’

      ‘I have with triplets,’ she argued.

      ‘Once,’ he returned. ‘I read your notes.’

      ‘Yes, once, but successfully and I am not operating on all four. Only two of the four are involved.’

      ‘That’s where you’re wrong. You’re exposing all four to a risk.’

      ‘I agree but the benefits outweigh the risk—’

      ‘I don’t agree with that rationale. You’re risking all four babies to save one and even success with that foetus is not guaranteed. It could take up to a month after the baby is born to know if there are any residual effects from the surgery. And even a year later in some cases long-term side effects have been diagnosed.’

      ‘But the child may not live at all if we don’t proceed.’ Juliet slumped a little in her chair. Her apology meeting was turning sour quickly. Charlie’s defensive stance was back again. She hoped she would have been more gracious if she had been the one assisting him with his treatment plan instead of the other way around. But she accepted that was easier said as the victor and her reaction a few hours earlier, suspecting he was delivering bad news, didn’t show any sign of gracious defeat. Perhaps they were alike after all. But she would never know because she was the one who had won this battle.

      ‘I’ve been performing this procedure for many years and before proceeding the Abbiatis will be fully informed of the risk.’

      ‘One additional baby complicates things ten-fold and I’m not sure that you’ll be experienced enough to deal with those complications should they arise.’

      Juliet decided to stand and signal the end of the meeting. It was going nowhere and it was pointless in her opinion. ‘I don’t see any value in going around in circles. The parents have agreed, Teddy’s board flew me over and the theatre is booked thanks to you. It would appear the surgery is a fait accompli.’

      ‘If it’s not successful, I’ll be noting my objections in a report to the board.’

      ‘I would expect no less,’ she replied as she crossed to the door. ‘Will I have an office during my secondment? I think it would be a good idea so that I can have some time to look over the reports privately.’ Her eyebrow was raised as she looked directly at Charlie. She hoped it was a look that didn’t leave room for questions or second-guessing. It was a demand not a polite request that he could choose whether to approve. He had taken it back to adversarial colleagues. They were right back to where they started.

      ‘I’ll see what we can do.’

      ‘Now that’s settled, I’ll be back tomorrow with my laptop ready to log on and begin the pre-op preparations.’

      Juliet chatted with the nurses and asked to meet the midwife who was looking after Georgina.

      ‘That’s Ella O’Brien,’ Annabelle offered. ‘She’s not on today but will be back tomorrow.’

      Juliet thanked her and then left to visit Georgina.

      ‘Leo’s just gone home to get me some fresh clothes. I guess you heard we’re going ahead with the surgery.’

      ‘I